[Archived] Summer Transfer Window

[Cocker]

  John said:

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is in line to sign rising young Dutch star Marco Rigters for a bargain £350,000 - scuppering the hopes of Newcastle and Celtic. (Daily Mirror)

But Celtic will scupper the hopes of Hughes and Blackburn - by signing Rigters for £400,000. (Daily Record)

I was very sceptical about going for him but at that price why not. Hughes has picked up decent players on the cheap in the past so I reckon he may do it again. If he turns out to be rubbish then who cares its no big loss.

[John]

This suggests he is off to Celtic........

[Craigman]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...89520-19391006/

This suggests otherwise and Blackburn.

Although it is Mr Nixon reporting again !

[Ricky]

worried by the last paragraph of the Mirror story. Hughes could be moving out a couple of strikers.... well if they are Jeffers, and Barker then fair enough, but if its Roberts or Benni then not so good.

At the end of the day he's a cheap young player so cant be bad. His record for Brada was not great but it does sound like he's been played out of position a fair bit.

[Fife Rover]

At the quoted price(s), how can we go wrong? Surely if he was good enough for Holland's U21's he must have something, and as we all saw on the TV he did look a reasonable striker and goal poacher. I reckon he is another one that will benefit from the MH school of coaching.

[JamieUK]

Maybe not: http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...tball_home&

[Cocker]

  JamieUK said:

Maybe not: http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...tball_home&

Norwich in for him. We might as well give up now

[Neil Weaver]

From philipl's Guardian list of players available for nowt.......

  Quote

Chelsea - Juan Sebastian Veron

Bloody ell, didn't even realise he was on their books. Some fall from grace : 28 million quid to Man United in 2001, two years later to Chelsea for 15 million, now zilch. Aye, these top four managers have an impeccable spending record.

[pleasure]

  LeChuck said:

Before anyone gets excited about Rigters, .....

rovers arent after him.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/footbal...-name_page.html

[USABlue]

  Ricky said:

worried by the last paragraph of the Mirror story. Hughes could be moving out a couple of strikers.... well if they are Jeffers, and Barker then fair enough, but if its Roberts or Benni then not so good.

At the end of the day he's a cheap young player so cant be bad. His record for Brada was not great but it does sound like he's been played out of position a fair bit.

Moving out a couple of strikers?? COuld that not be Jeffers and Nonda. No real loss there.

Side note, Big Sam looks like he is putting together a team to be reckoned with this season. Geremi, good signing.

[den]

  pleasure said:

rovers arent after him.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/footbal...-name_page.html

Oh yes they are.

[Ronin]

Is it panto season?

[Paul]

  Grabbi Graeme said:

Cut Price Bellamy

I read somewhere that Benitez is so keen to get Michael Johnson from City he's prepared to pay City £3m and chuck in Bellamy as the make-weight. I think one has to question if Bellamy would have the same hunger if he returned to Ewood as he demonstrated first time around.

[pleasure]

  den said:

Oh yes they are.

someone better tell rigters' agent! :ph34r:

he'll be a good signing. 500K is a bargin.

[Ronin]

Looks like Ritgers is going to turn down the Barcodes.

http://www.newcastleutd-mad.co.uk/news/loa...W&id=342412

[Hughesy]

According to Skysports he is set for Celtic and the only other club interested so far are Norwich!?

[Roar of the Rover]

It's between us and Celtic as the Barcodes don't have European football.

[krislu]

I know its early days but clubs like West Ham, Newcastle, Tottenham and Villa are looking to spend big time this transfer window. Hope Hughes gets a decent transfer kitty as well, because we can not expect him to find quality players on the cheap all the time.

[b12_simon]

  Paul said:

I read somewhere that Benitez is so keen to get Michael Johnson from City he's prepared to pay City £3m and chuck in Bellamy as the make-weight. I think one has to question if Bellamy would have the same hunger if he returned to Ewood as he demonstrated first time around.

I reckon we could all trust the influence of MH's foot in a returning Bellers' jacksy

[gumboots]

hasn't Bellamy already suggested that he's not a makeweight in anybody else's deal.

[tcj_jones]

And what makes you think you can trust Bellamy's word for a second? lol

That's really bad news about a cut price City deal for Bellamy, if it's true. I would have thought Bellamy would have more ambition though and would relish the prospect of European football again with us. On top of that he has worked with Hughes at both club and international level now and I would have thought he'd prefer to move back to us over anybody else outside the top four. But I suppose wages might come into it when City and West Ham are in for him.

[Mark Atkins' Bald Patch]

  Paul said:

I read somewhere that Benitez is so keen to get Michael Johnson from City he's prepared to pay City £3m and chuck in Bellamy as the make-weight. I think one has to question if Bellamy would have the same hunger if he returned to Ewood as he demonstrated first time around.

Forgive my ignorance but who is the Michael Johnson that plays for City? Surely not their 18 year old midfielder?

If so how can someone who has acheived nothing at first team level be worth Bellamy plus £3m?

[tcj_jones]

Looking at the Gaurdian's list of released players, the name that really stands out is Veron. I'm not sure where he was last season, but I think it ws on loan at Inter. I'm not sure how he performed their either, but he was a excellent player not too long ago. I'd love to seeus move for him, but I think his wage demands would be absolutely huge. I'm intrigued as to where he will end up as he, apparently, has not been approached.

Hasselbaink could be a good last ditch option if we are looking for a striker come August.

[Rob of the Rovers]

  MarkAtkins said:

Forgive my ignorance but who is the Michael Johnson that plays for City? Surely not their 18 year old midfielder?

If so how can someone who has acheived nothing at first team level be worth Bellamy plus £3m?

City would be the ones paying the £3million.

[modes98]

  Rob of the Rovers said:

City would be the ones paying the £3million.

That still values this Johnson at between £3-6m.

Edit: Michael Johnson Bio